Gravity switch



June 14, 1932. s. FREEDMAN ET AL 1,863,2

GRAVITY SWITCH Filed Nov. 15, 1951 Inventor J fl'aa wafi (7 4 7 g/ erfPatented June 14, 1932 UNITED STATES GRAVITY SWITCH Application filedNovember 13, 1931. Serial No. 574,892.

This invention relates to a gravity switch, the general object of theinvention being to provide a switch having its movable part normallyheld in inoperative position by the action of gravity, with meanswhereby a slight pressure on said movable part will raise the same toclose a circuit, so that as soon as the pressure is removed, the circuitwill be broken.

This invention also consists in certain other features of constructionand in the combina tion and arrangement of the several parts to behereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing andspecifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to theaccompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Figure 1is a front view of the improved switch.

Fig. 2 is a side View thereof.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional View.

In these views, the numeral 1 indicates a wall plate having an opening 2therein, and the numeral 3 indicates a casing connected with the plateand having a removable cover plate 4 forming one side thereof. The contacts or terminals 5 and 6 extend into the easing, the contact orterminal 6 being insulated from the casing as shown at 7. A movable partof the switch is composed of a pivoted arm or lever 8, the pivot ofwhich is shown at 9 with the small end of the arm extended thru theopening 2. The inner part of the arm 8, is enlarged so as to give itconsiderable weight so that the lever or arm normally occupies theposition shown in Fig. 2 under the action of gravity.

However, when the outer end of the arm or lever is pushed downwardly,the inner part thereof will contact the terminal 6 and thus complete thecircuit as the terminal 5 is grounded on the casing as shown. An open NT1 OFFICE ing 10 is formed at the bottom of the cas- A ing, to permit anymoisture collecting therein to escape. Either positive or negative wiresmay be interchanged on the device.

The purpose of this device is to give continuous service for bellsystems. It is foolproof because a slight pressure on the lever willmake an immediate contact closing the circuit, and, upon the release ofthe lever, the contact will be broken by the falling of the lever by theforce of gravity alone, thereby opening the circuit.

There are no parts to wear out and rustproof materials should be used.Despite the use of the metal lever the device is shockproof to the userso long as used on six volt systems or less. If a greater than six voltsystem should be used, the outside portion of the lever may beconstructed of an insulated material such as bakelite, ivory, etc., andthe cover plate 1 should also be of an insulated material.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages andnovel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction andin the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided thatsuch changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new is 1. A switchof the class described comprising a casing, a pair of terminalsextending therefrom, one of the terminals being insulated, and a leverpivoted in the casing and having a part projecting therefrom, with theinner end of the lever heavier than its outer part, whereby the lever isnormally held in inoperative position by the action of gravity, and whenthe outer part is depressed, the inher part will strike the insulatedterminal and close the circuit.

2. A switch of the class described comprising a casing, a short terminalextending into the lower part thereof, and electrically connectedtherewith, a long terminal extending into the upper part of the casingand innulated therefrom, a lever pivoted in the casing and passingthrough an opening in the front thereof, the inner part of the leverbeing heavier than the outer part whereby gravity will hold the lever ininoperative position, but when the outer part is depressed, the innerpart will engage the upper terminal and thus close the circuit.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures.

SAMUEL FREEDMAN. JOHN GILBERT.

